I boarded the Mothership once before, immersing myself in what is commonly known as the P-Funk party. On the night of September 20th, I hopped aboard a similar vessel; however, this night the destination was quite different. This night I made my way to The Blockley where I caught sight (and sound) of the Tiny Universe for the first time, that is, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. I was star struck, bamboozled, and blown away by this alternate universe that was Karl Denson, the legendary saxophonist and renowned “acid jazz” musician who incorporates funk, dance, jazz and hip-hop to create an eclectic musical extravaganza. It’s the type of music that gets listeners up and grooving to the beat all night long. In fact, Denson has had audiences moving and groovin’ throughout his career, beginning with his early days playing with Lenny Kravitz, through his boogaloo boys, The Greyboy Allstars to his collaborations with Slightly Stoopid, but most profoundly with his own band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. The Tiny Universe has been touring tenaciously for the past 15 years, and has garnered quite the following. Fans know that when the Tiny Universe pays a visit, a meteoric size dance party will come showering down upon them.
A UFO? No, that’s the sound of Karl Denson’s melodic flute solo, bringing light to the venue. Such a beautiful sound seems almost hypnotic as members of the audience close their eyes while their bodies remain grooving, letting the music engulf their mind, body and soul; taking each listener on a voyage far beyond the realm of this universe. The band consists of Karl Denson on vocals, sax and flute, DJ Williams on guitar, Chris Littlefield on the trumpet, Max MacVeety on drums, Chris Stillwell on bass and David Veith on keyboards. The Tiny Universe is so full of musical talent it’s simply out of this world. Not only is the band’s chemistry undeniable, but they also have a ton of fun on stage. When you’re in the crowd and you see the performers having fun, it just enhances the epicness of your own experience with the show!
Karl Denson started off the night on the right note, giving a shout out to Philadelphia’s own, The Roots, saying that whenever he is confused about life, he spends a day just listening to The Roots and it gets him back on track. DJ Williams was ripping on the guitar strings so fast and furious that I was surprised they didn’t just burst into flames. By the end of the evening, the crowd was chanting, “we are the Tiny Universe,” and everyone felt that sense of community with the band. It was a complete musical immersion, where the music actually became your world while the band performed on stage. A brief, yet wonderfully satisfying, respite from the stark reality of everyday life. One of the most memorable moments of the show was when Karl chatted with the audience while giving valuable advice to all the men about getting into their groove. He described a sort of “day-in-the-life” beginning with the your morning routine, slapping on your finest clothes, getting into your groove, then going up to that girl because all it really takes is 5 dollars and a cup of coffee. The crowd was loving it! The Tiny Universe closed out the set with a deliciously funky rendition of The White Stripes’, “Seven Nation Army.” What better way to end the night than listening to Karl’s remarkable flute solo.
The Music Vibes had the honor of asking Karl Denson a few questions following his performance at The Blockley. We asked him about his journey as a musician, influences on his musical style and some of his favorite collaborations:
The Music Vibes (TMV): How would you describe your evolution as a musician, spanning from the time spent playing with Lenny Kravitz to Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe?
Karl Denson (KD): Well, I think it’s pretty complete. As a player I was still pretty green when I started playing with Lenny. The 20 years since then have been full of growth, both technically and artistically. I’ve also grown into being a leader. When I started playing with Lenny, I was really just looking for a big kind of pop/rock gig that would support my other artistic interests. By the time I left Lenny in ’93 I realized that I wanted to do something that was my own. Now I feel pretty complete and what I’ve become both artistically and technically and as far as being a leader.
TMV: Is the world of music a “tiny universe” in and of itself?
KD: Of course it is, very much so. It’s a microcosm of all kinds of influences and thoughts and ideas.
TMV: How often do you see the same faces?
KD: It depends on how much we’re touring, but we see the same faces a lot. Between things like Jam Cruise and Bear Creek and Gathering of the Vibes and High Sierra and all the festivals that we play regularly. We see tons of the same faces. Then you add in just the normal touring and going from city to city and it’s really interesting to find out where those faces are from.
TMV: How do you determine which songs call for a flute vs. a saxophone? (Including your first appearance of the night playing flute with The Soul Rebels.)
KD: From all the music that I listen to in my life I’ve developed certain ideas of what sounds good with what and so when I hear Melody or groove you know I kind of put together my own little record and my head and determine how I would want It to sound.
TMV: There were times when you humbly played tambourine and let your band members take the lead. What’s your relationship with your band mates?
KD: We really share a love of music together and I think that makes us a real family. We’re also really trying to expound on what we can bring to the table so it kind of humbles us all and makes us really work together. We want each other to get better so that we can get better.
TMV: How does your experience with Greyboy Allstars differ from Tiny Universe?
KD: The Greyboy All-Stars is more of a democracy and the Tiny Universe is my baby, so you know I have more say so in the Tiny Universe than in the Greyboy Allstars, which is a lot of responsibility. It’s kind of a blessing and a curse.
TMV: Who are some of your favorite musicians with whom you’ve shared the stage ?
KD: I’m out with Mike Dillon right now and he’s definitely one of my favorites. I would say Warren Haynes, the Allman Brothers, Gary Bartz and Susan Tedeschi would be at the top of my list.
TMV: Your use of percussion instruments, such as shakers and tambourines, causes flashbacks to George Clinton and his P-Funk party. Would you say that you have taken some of your musical inspiration from George Clinton and the Funkadelics? It seems that you both may have boarded the Mothership at some point…
KD: The thing I’ve always loved about music in general and my taste tends to lean towards more traditional styles is that most of them are comprised of small rhythms. When I say that I mean something very simple that might be a bar long or two bars long, but something that makes people feel like they’re sitting in the backyard. That’s what I think Parliament Funkadelic takes from older music and I tried to take it from them and transfer it to into my future.
Seeing Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe in concert is a musical journey that all funk fans, general music lovers, astrophysicists and astronomers alike should experience for themselves. So take some time to voyage to the depths, grooves, and most importantly, the sounds of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe as it expands into a city near you!
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Tour Dates:
October 11 | Mustang Music Festival | Corolla, NC
October 12 | Joshua Tree Music Festival | Joshua Tree, CA
October 14 | The Wild Buffalo | Bellingham, WA
October 15 | The Crocodile | Seattle, WA
October 16 | Aladdin Theater | Portland, OR
October 17 | WOW Hall | Eugene, OR
October 18 | Arcata Theater | Arcata, CA
October 19 | The Fillmore | San Francisco, CA
October 20 | Harlow’s | Sacramento, CA
October 22 | Moe’s Alley | Santa Cruz, CA
October 23 | Soho | Santa Barbara, CA
October 24 | The El Rey | Los Angeles, CA
October 25 & 26 | Belly Up Tavern | San Diego, CA
October 31 | Fillmore Auditorium | Denver, CO
November 6 | Terminal West | Atlanta, GA
November 7 | Fillmore Auditorium | Charlotte, NC
November 8 & 9 | The Orange Peel | Asheville, NC
November 10 | Track 29 | Track 29
November 13 | Georgia Theater | Athens, GA
November 15 & 16 | Bear Creek Music Festival | Live Oak, FL
December 31 | Park West | Chicago, IL
Review written by Rebecca Wolfe
Photography by Rebecca Wolfe
Check out The Music Vibes Preview: Funk Astronomy; Join the Intergalactic Dance Party with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe & the Soul Rebels
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